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A review by swilson4995
Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan
5.0
Taking place in Harlem of the late 80s and early 90s, this character driven novel follows the life and reveals the thoughts of Malaya as she grows and discovers herself from the ages of eight to sixteen, all while trying to become more the name that people call her, "Big Girl."
Discovering that the main character is the same age as me meant I had to work hard to put aside the instant nostalgia that arose. Given that, the accuracy of detail will charm any elder millennial or anyone enamoured of the era. Beyond the pop culture references, the hold that Weight Watchers had over our mothers - and the mind-melting diet culture that was foisted onto our generation from a young age rings so, so true.
Beyond that, the novel should become an instant classic. A young person moving through the New York City of their time and circumstance harkens back to Catcher in the Rye, but with an optimism despite tough circumstances that makes the reader feel for Malaya Clondon in a way that one never could for Holden Caulfield.
There's no shying away from challenging issues here: the novel takes on racism, sexism, what it means to be a woman, burgeoning and confusing sexuality. And all with lyrical prose that is both masterful and a joy to read. This is by far the best book I've read so far this year!
Discovering that the main character is the same age as me meant I had to work hard to put aside the instant nostalgia that arose. Given that, the accuracy of detail will charm any elder millennial or anyone enamoured of the era. Beyond the pop culture references, the hold that Weight Watchers had over our mothers - and the mind-melting diet culture that was foisted onto our generation from a young age rings so, so true.
Beyond that, the novel should become an instant classic. A young person moving through the New York City of their time and circumstance harkens back to Catcher in the Rye, but with an optimism despite tough circumstances that makes the reader feel for Malaya Clondon in a way that one never could for Holden Caulfield.
There's no shying away from challenging issues here: the novel takes on racism, sexism, what it means to be a woman, burgeoning and confusing sexuality. And all with lyrical prose that is both masterful and a joy to read. This is by far the best book I've read so far this year!